Singapore offers Open Skies deal with Turkey

Singapore, the home of one of the world's leading airlines, has offered Turkey the chance to sign the Open Skies Agreement to ensure both countries' carriers can use each other's airports as a hub to travel to more countries, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

"We practice the Open Skies Agreement in Singapore and we are looking at the same opportunity with companies in Turkey to enable Singapore Airlines to travel more to Istanbul and beyond," Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli told the Hürriyet Daily News on Oct. 31.

"Turkish Airlines is very respected in Singapore. It has come a long way. It's a great advantage for both of our companies to look at signing this kind of agreement," Zulkifli said, adding that the move would also enhance business opportunities between the two countries.

Turkey and Singapore intensified political and economic relations in recent years after the South Asian country decided to open an embassy in Ankara in 2012. Officials from both sides are seeking ways to bolster relations as each other considers the other as a gateway - Turkey to the Central Asia and the Middle East and Singapore to South Asia.

Singapore has previously completed similar agreements with more than 120 countries, including over 50 over skies agreements.